Tripoli Rocketry O' San Diego Ocotillo Launch On 10-18-1998 These are nay Estes Model Rockets, me hearties, They are seriously high powered rockets powered by Aerotech Consumer Aerospace Engines requirin' special permits, licenses, and FAA waivers. T' last one supposedly broke t' speed o' sound, you can barely hear t' "pop". FYI... T' speed o' sound is about 768 miles per hour. Ya scallywag! T' speed needed t' escape Earths gravity and obtain orbit is about 7 miles per second, or 25000 miles per hour.